Position-centric personnel assessment apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

A computer-implemented position-centric personnel modeling apparatus, system, and method may be provided. A nodal hierarchy may be created to correlate with the personnel structure of a business enterprise, wherein each node may be a cyberspace representation of an individual within the personnel structure of the business enterprise. Attributes correlating to individual personnel in the business enterprise may be mapped to a respective node. Objectives may subsequently be tasked within the model and the nodal hierarchy may be rearranged based on the results. Results from the model may optionally be reflected by a business enterprise.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/817,875, filed Aug. 4, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/683,637, filed Apr. 10, 2015, which claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/979,542,entitled “Position-centric Personnel System”, and filed Apr. 15, 2014,the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND

Business enterprises regularly use computer-implemented methods andapparatuses for assessing and improving their business. However, whilethere are tools for effectively assessing resource management andproduction of various assets, including personnel, there lacks anability to map, assess, and optimize the allocation of personnel withina business enterprise.

SUMMARY

According to an exemplary embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readablemedium for assessing a personnel hierarchy may be provided. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium may include instructions storedthereon, that when executed on a process, perform the following steps.The instructions may map personnel attribute data to logically codednodes within a logically coded unified hierarchy. The instructions mayperform a function corresponding to a rule or rule set corresponding toa business strategy or objective. Next, nodes within the logically codedunified hierarchy may be data mined to measure performance of thefunction. Performance data of all nodes relevant to a rule or rule setmay then be aggregated. The performance of each node may be comparedwith the previous, current, or projected instantiation of the aggregatedperformance of any or all remaining relevant nodes, and/or to the nodeitself. The nodes within the hierarchy may then be modified orreassigned, as needed, based on the performance. This may be repeateduntil a desired end state is achieved.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a computer-implementedposition-centric personnel apparatus may be provided. The apparatus mayinclude a memory device configured to store a data structure comprisinginformation related to an individual's performance within a businessenterprise hierarchy. The memory device may further include a personneldatabase. The personnel database may include logically coded nodeswithin a logically coded unified hierarchy. Each logically coded nodemay correspond to an individual and the logically coded unifiedhierarchy may correspond to a business enterprise personnel hierarchy.The memory device may also include at least one rule or rule setassociated with a business objective or strategy. The apparatus mayinclude a processor configured to perform functions derived from therule or rule set, aggregate results of the performance, compare eachnode's performance with the aggregate results, and reassign nodes basedon success in accomplishing objectives. The apparatus may additionallyinclude an input/output device to allow a user to input data, observeresults, and set rules.

According to yet another exemplary embodiment, a personnel assessmentmethod may be provided. The method may include providing a memory deviceconfigured to store personnel data. It may further include maintainingand periodically updating, on the memory device, a record of personnelwithin a business enterprise. The record may include data available frominternal and external sources. Personnel attribute data from the recordof personnel may be mapped to logically coded nodes within a logicallycoded unified hierarchy. A function corresponding to a rule or rule set,which may correspond to a business strategy or objective, may beperformed with each node. Each node within the logically coded unifiedhierarchy may be data mined to measure performance of the function. Theperformance data of all nodes relevant to a rule or rule set may beaggregated. The performance of an individual node may be compared withthe aggregated performance data of the remaining relevant nodes. Nodesmay be modified or reassigned within the hierarchy, as needed, based onperformance. This may be repeated until a desired end state has beenachieved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent fromthe following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments. Thefollowing detailed description should be considered in conjunction withthe accompanying figures in which:

Exemplary FIG. 1 shows a diagram of a computing apparatus;

Exemplary FIG. 2 shows a diagram of an exemplary nodal hierarchy;

Exemplary FIG. 3 shows exemplary nodal compositions of nodes withindifferent exemplary levels of a nodal hierarchy; and

Exemplary FIG. 4 shows a diagram of an exemplary sequence of eventswithin the nodal hierarchy of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the invention are disclosed in the following description andrelated drawings directed to specific embodiments of the invention.Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spiritor the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements ofexemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detailor will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of theinvention. Further, to facilitate an understanding of the descriptiondiscussion of several terms used herein follows.

As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example,instance or illustration.” The embodiments described herein are notlimiting, but rather are exemplary only. It should be understood thatthe described embodiments are not necessarily to be construed aspreferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Moreover, the terms“embodiments of the invention”, “embodiments” or “invention” do notrequire that all embodiments of the invention include the discussedfeature, advantage or mode of operation.

Further, many of the embodiments described herein are described in termsof sequences of actions to be performed by, for example, elements of acomputing device. It should be recognized by those skilled in the artthat the various sequences of actions described herein can be performedby specific circuits (e.g. application specific integrated circuits(ASICs)) and/or by program instructions executed by at least oneprocessor. Additionally, the sequence of actions described herein can beembodied entirely within any form of computer-readable storage mediumsuch that execution of the sequence of actions enables at least oneprocessor to perform the functionality described herein. Furthermore,the sequence of actions described herein can be embodied in acombination of hardware and software. Thus, the various aspects of thepresent invention may be embodied in a number of different forms, all ofwhich have been contemplated to be within the scope of the claimedsubject matter. In addition, for each of the embodiments describedherein, the corresponding form of any such embodiment may be describedherein as, for example, “a computer configured to” perform the describedaction.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, a position-centricpersonnel system may be provided. In an exemplary embodiment, theposition-centric personnel system may be used to assess and allocatepersonnel in a business enterprise to maximize the successfulaccomplishment of objectives, meet an overarching strategy, and achievea desired end state for the business enterprise. A desired end state maybe a final embodiment of a business enterprise. An end state may bestatic, but may also change, evolve, or otherwise be dynamic. Personnelmay be mapped to a unified nodal hierarchy according to a continuum offunctional levels and divisions of responsibility within a businessenterprise. Position-centric may not employ rank-centric methods. Inother words, position may be superordinate to rank. Therefore, personnelmay be manipulated to achieve a desired result based primarily onposition, not rank.

An exemplary system may include an electronically stored personneldatabase, which may include logically coded nodes within a logicallycoded and unified hierarchy. The hierarchy may include various levelsand divisions. In some embodiments, these may include tactical,operational, strategic, and inter-strategic levels and divisions.Inter-strategic, or global, may be the level at which a businessenterprise forms strategic associations with other business enterprises.Responsibilities at this level may be commensurate with representationof at least one conglomerate of organizations. One level below theinter-strategic level may be the strategic level, which may includedeveloping doctrine and policy to further the interests of the businessenterprise. Responsibilities at this level may be commensurate withrepresentation of at least one organization of multiple groups.Strategy, as used in this description, may also refer to high levelguidance of a business enterprise, which may be intended to meet adesired end state. Below the strategic level may be an operationallevel, which may be the level at which a business enterprise plans anddevelops tactical level tasks to meet strategic objectives. Theresponsibilities at this level may be commensurate with representationof at least one group of individuals. Finally, at the tactical level,which may be below the operational level, tasks may be executed to meetoperational intent and strategic objectives. The responsibilities atthis level may be commensurate with the representation of at least oneindividual, including oneself. A node may refer to a logicalrepresentation of information in cyberspace. Nodes may be coded andmanipulated using a computer programming language, which may be any of avariety of languages. In some exemplary embodiments, the computerprogramming language may be an object-oriented computer programminglanguage. The levels and divisions may be cyberspace representations ofpersonnel functional levels and divisions of responsibility in abusiness enterprise. Cyberspace may refer to a domain of theelectromagnetic spectrum, in which electromagnetic information exists orexchanges. A node may further include relevant data to the node and allassociated nodes within the unified hierarchy. Individuals within anorganization or business enterprise's personnel hierarchy may berepresented as a node and may be assigned a designation based uponcomputer programming code. The nodal designations may include thetactical, operational, strategic, and inter-strategic levels anddivisions referenced above. The individual may be manifested incyberspace as a nodal data construct with commensurate encapsulatedcyberspace data constructs based upon defined qualifiers of theindividual in the physical world and transformed into superordinate,equivalent, or subordinate quantifiable objects within the node incyberspace.

In an exemplary embodiment, the system may allocate personnel based ontheir attributes. The allocation of personnel may be regardless of titleor position within a business enterprise. Personnel may be matched tothe correct objective within a business enterprise so as to best meet anoverarching strategy and desired end state of that business enterprise.Personnel may be matched to objectives by mapping personnel to computerprogrammed nodes within the system. Nodes may be mapped to tactical,operational, strategic, or inter-strategic levels of functionalresponsibility within the logical cyberspace hierarchy, commensurate tohuman beings being mapped in a non-cyberspace business enterprisepersonnel hierarchy. At least one node function may be matched to atleast one tactical, operational, strategic, or inter-strategicobjective. An objective may be a computer programmed rule or rule setdefined within the system and may represent the intended result orconsequence of an activity, such as an instruction or performance. Anode may be assigned a task to execute in order to meet an objective. Atask may include a computer programming function executed within acomputing system to meet a programmed objective. A task within thepresent system may be commensurate with a task performed by personnel ina non-cyberspace business enterprise. The outcome of a task assigned toa node may be compared to the objective in order to determine if anoverarching strategy and desired end state of the business enterprisehas been met. An outcome may include an achieved result or consequenceof an executed task within the cyberspace environment and may bemeasured against an objective. The strategy and desired end state of abusiness enterprise may be represented as computer programmed rules orrule sets in the present system. The nodal hierarchy may be modifiedbased on the outcome of the nodal execution of at least one task.

An exemplary embodiment of a position-centric personnel system may allowfor assessing weak and strong nodes along a continuum within a unifiednodal hierarchy in order to effectively create, reassign, modify,remove, or otherwise manipulate their placement in the unifiedhierarchy. The treatment of nodes may be commensurate with the treatmentof strong and weak personnel within a business enterprise. Personnel maybe identified, recruited, promoted, demoted, reassigned, relieved oftheir position, or otherwise managed. However, utilizing the system maymaximize efficiency of a business enterprise with minimal trial anderror time by analyzing numerous, intricate personnel manipulationsquickly and accurately to find an optimal hierarchy. Relative strengthsand weaknesses of nodes within a unified hierarchy of thecomputer-implemented position-centric personnel system may be determinedthrough data mining all nodes relevant to a particular rule or rule setand aggregating all of the relevant data. At least one aspect of a nodemay be compared to the aggregated data in the context of achieving atleast one tactical, operational, strategic, and/or inter-strategicobjective. A similar comparison may be conducted for all relevant nodes.The results of the comparison for a given node may be viewed in thecontext of all the other comparisons of all other relevant nodes. Theperformance of each node may be compared with the previous, current, orprojected instantiation of the aggregated performance of any or allremaining relevant nodes, and/or to the node itself. This may determinea node's relative weakness or strength within a business enterprise.Based on the determination, a node may be left unmodified, reassigned,or otherwise manipulated within the hierarchy, including removal, tobetter meet the objectives of the business enterprise, which may bemanifested as computer programmed rules or rule sets. Nodes may bemanipulated within the hierarchy to reflect changes in a businessenterprise's non-cyberspace personnel hierarchy, and vice versa.

The computer-implemented position-centric personnel model of the presentinvention may also employ upon the nodal hierarchy, by way ofnon-limiting examples, methods of recursion, polymorphism,encapsulation, and inheritance, as well as any and all methods of stringtheory, quantum mechanics, stochastics, dynamic modeling, andtime-series analysis to include Fourier/wavelet transforms, as would beunderstood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. The outcome ofmethods employed upon the nodal hierarchy may be used to dynamicallymodify the nodal hierarchy in order to manifest and realize changes ofthe nodal hierarchy in practical application within the physical and/ornon-cyberspace business enterprise. The manifestation and realization ofthe nodal hierarchy within the physical and/or non-cyberspace businessenterprise may be accomplished by replicating changes in the nodalhierarchy into changes in the personnel hierarchy of the businessenterprise, and vice versa.

In an exemplary embodiment, an efficient and effective manner to evolveorganizations to a higher-level and improved structure may be provided.The practical application may be effectively and concretely employed toreplicate physical organizational evolution as modeled within acyberspace environment, or vice versa, in order to maximizeorganizational return on investments and reach strategic end states forthe physical organizational enterprise. Specifically, an exemplaryembodiment may identify individuals better able to develop strategicdoctrine, which in turn may evolve operational objectives, and may leadto improved tactical level production changes that enhance such thingsas safety, quality of life, and shareholder value. Therefore, thephysical employment and modification of personnel behavior may beperformed as recommended by the nodal equivalent in cyberspace, or viceversa. In effect, a dynamic capability to identify and optimize businesspractices that maximize organizational return on investment and reachstrategic end states for the physical organizational enterprise may beprovided. An exemplary embodiment may replicate a physical environmentin addition to mirroring physical personnel. All organizationalvariables may optionally be included in an exemplary embodiment, therebyallowing for replication of an entire physical business enterprise. Forexemplary purposes, an implementation in a military environment mayfollow. An exemplary embodiment may be used to win wars at a strategiclevel, improve employment of forces at an operational level, anddiscover the errors of fielding a particular tank due to the prevalenceof human or technical errors at a tactical level. This may directly savelives and money. Another example may relate to biotechnology. At theinter-strategic level, alliances could be formed based upon results froma clinical trial, and vice versa. Furthermore, pharmaceuticals could beimproved by identifying best practices on development within thecyberspace nodal hierarchy before fiscal and life-threatening mistakesare made in the physical business enterprise. Exemplary embodiments maybe applied to all fields, from government to industry. An entirebusiness enterprise/environment may be replicated in cyberspace, notjust personnel. How a business operates from business creation toproduct development to point of sale and beyond may be accounted for.

In some embodiments, the position-centric personnel system may beimplemented in software, including firmware, resident software,microcode, and other software embodiments as would be understood by aperson having ordinary skill in the art.

Furthermore, exemplary embodiments may take the form of a computerprogram product accessible from a computer-usable or computer-readablemedium providing program code for use by or in connection with acomputer or any instruction execution system. For the purposes of thisdescription, a computer-usable or computer readable medium may be anyapparatus that can comprise, store, communicate, propagate, or transporta program for use by or in connection with the instruction executionsystem, apparatus, or device.

The medium may be an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic,infrared, or semiconductor apparatus or a propagation medium. Examplesof a computer-readable medium include a semiconductor or solid statememory, magnetic tape, a removable computer diskette, a random accessmemory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a rigid magnetic disk and anoptical disk. Current examples of optical disks include compactdisk-read only memory (CD-ROM), compact disk-read/write (CD-R/W) andDVD.

The computing system suitable for storing and/or executing program codemay include at least one processor coupled directly or indirectly tomemory elements through a system bus. The memory elements may includelocal memory employed during actual execution of the program code, bulkstorage, and cache memories which provide temporary storage of at leastsome program code in order to reduce the number of times code must beretrieved from bulk storage during execution.

Input/Output (I/O) devices (including but not limited to keyboards,displays, pointing devices, etc.) may be coupled to the system eitherdirectly or through intervening I/O controllers. Network adapters mayalso be coupled to the system to enable the computing system to becomecoupled to other computing systems or remote printers or storage devicesthrough intervening private or public networks.

FIG. 1 may show a block diagram of a computer-implementedposition-centric personnel apparatus that implements the processesassociated with FIGS. 2, 3, and 4. Computing apparatus 100 may generallyinclude a central processing unit (CPU) 101, a memory 102, aninput/output (I/O) interface 103, a bus 104, I/O devices 105, a storagedevice 106, a server 107, a local client 108, and a remote client 109.CPU 101 may perform computation and control functions of computingapparatus 100. CPU 101 may include a single processing unit, or bedistributed across one or more processing units in one or more locations(e.g. on a client 108 109 and server 107).

Memory 102 may include any known type of data storage and/ortransmission media, including bulk storage, magnetic media, opticalmedia, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), a data cache,a data object, etc. Cache memory elements of memory 102 may providetemporary storage of at least some program code in order to reduce thenumber of times code must be retrieved from bulk storage duringexecution. Storage device 106 may, for example, be a magnetic disk driveor an optical disk drive that may store data. Moreover, similar to CPU101, memory 102 may reside at a single physical location, including oneor more types of data storage, or may be distributed across a pluralityof physical systems in various forms. Further, memory 102 can includedata distributed across, for example, a LAN, WAN, storage area network(SAN), or the World Wide Web (not shown).

I/O interface 103 may include any system for exchanging information toor from an external source. I/O devices 105 may include any known typeof external device, including a display monitor, keyboard, mouse,printer, speakers, handheld device, printer, facsimile, etc. Bus 104 mayprovide a communication link between each of the components in computingapparatus 100, and may comprise any type of transmission link, includingelectrical, optical, wireless, etc.

I/O interface 103 may also allow computing apparatus 100 to store andretrieve information (e.g., program instructions or data) from anauxiliary storage device (e.g., storage device 106). The auxiliarystorage device may be a non-volatile storage device (e.g., a CD-ROMdrive which may receive a CD-ROM disk). Computing system 100 may becapable of storing and retrieving information from other auxiliarystorage devices (not shown), which may include a direct access storagedevice (DASD) (e.g., hard disk or floppy diskette), a magneto-opticaldisk drive, a tape drive, or a wireless communication device.

Memory 102 and/or storage device 106 and/or auxiliary storage devices(not shown) may include the master personnel database (nodal hierarchy)as well as computer program code implementing, in part, the processesassociated with FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 that when executed, may manifest thelogical representation in cyberspace of all components of the nodalhierarchy, as well as processes the methods employed upon the nodalhierarchy as implemented by the position-centric personnel system anddisclosed herein. Further, memory 102 and/or storage device 106 and/orauxiliary storage devices (not shown) may include the master personneldatabase (nodal hierarchy) as well as computer program code for theposition-centric personnel system methods disclosed herein. Stillfarther, memory 102 and/or storage device 106 and/or auxiliary storagedevices (not shown) may include other apparatuses or systems not shownin FIG. 1, such as an operating system (e.g., Linux) that runs on CPU101 and provides control of various components within and/or connectedto computing apparatus 100.

Users may access the computing apparatus 100 directly using the I/Odevices 105, or remotely over the LAN or intranet, the WAN or extranet,SAN, or the World Wide Web. Results may be displayed using I/O devices105. Alternately, results may be displayed by remote I/O device(s), suchas through a laptop 109.

It may be apparent that the computing apparatus 100 may includeconventional components and thus various modifications or substitutionsmay be made. The computing apparatus 100 may embody the presentinvention by configuring the CPU 101 to operate in accordance withstored software programs so as to interact with the entire nodalhierarchy as well as data stored in computer program code, as explainedherein. Furthermore, the entire nodal hierarchy as well as the computerprogram code may be self-modifying, in that the entire nodal hierarchy,in part and collectively, as well as the computer program code mayexecute upon itself in order to morph and/or evolve the nodal hierarchyand computer program code.

Referring to exemplary FIG. 2, a nodal hierarchy 200 may be provided. Insome exemplary embodiments, the nodal hierarchy 200 may include at leastone inter-strategic (global) node 210, at least one strategic node 220,at least one operational node 230, and at least one tactical node 240. Anodal hierarchy may be infinitely variable, as would be understood by aperson having ordinary skill in the art. A particular nodal hierarchymay be mapped to the specific personnel structure of a desired businessenterprise. As shown in exemplary FIG. 2, a nodal hierarchy may furtherrepresent the multidirectional flow of data between and within thefunctional and divisional levels of responsibility of a businessenterprise's personnel hierarchy. In one exemplary embodiment, there maybe two inter-strategic nodes 210, four strategic nodes 220, eightoperational nodes 230, and sixteen tactical nodes 240. Themultidirectional flow of data 250 within the hierarchy may also berepresented.

Now referring to exemplary FIG. 3, the design structure of individualnodes 300 within a nodal hierarchy may be provided. An individual nodemay fall in a particular level or division, such as an inter-strategic(global) node 310, a strategic node 320, an operational node 330, or atactical node 340. Each node within a level or division, such asinter-strategic, strategic, operational, or tactical, may further beassigned a sublevel within that level or division. There may be anynumber of sublevels within a level or division, so long as there is atleast one sublevel in each level or division. Each node may furtherinclude a set of associated variables, which may encapsulate datarelevant to that node in cyberspace and may represent different data fordifferent nodes in different sequences. As shown in exemplary FIG. 3,variables may include a, b, and c. Non-limiting examples of datarepresented by variables may include an individual's or organization'sphysical characteristics, personality traits, cultural factors,socioeconomic information, political affiliations, inter-nodalassociations, as well as links to environmental variables that mayinfluence the nodes and the cyberspace environment in which the nodesmay interact. In some embodiments, the encapsulated data may becomesuperordinate to the node itself in the arrangement of the functionsequence, thereby influencing environmental variables. There may be aninfinite number of variables that may encapsulate separate data relevantto a particular node. Each node may have a function employed upon it. Asshown in exemplary FIG. 3, the function “method” may refer to a methodemployed upon a particular node. An infinitely variable number of nodalcompositions, to include methods employed upon them, may be possible.

An exemplary node coded with tasks may be provided in FIG. 4. Each node,which may be a cyberspace representation of a single person in abusiness enterprise, may be coded with tasks to meet objectives. Theoutcome of executing the tasks within the cyberspace environment may becompared to the objectives. The comparison may reveal whether theobjectives have been satisfactorily accomplished to meet a desiredbusiness enterprise strategy, and in turn, a desired end state of thebusiness enterprise in terms of predefined rules or rule sets. Aresulting level of objective accomplishment to meet the businessenterprise strategy by each node may then be compared to the aggregationof all other nodes' resulting level of objective accomplishments to meetthe business strategy. The comparison of an individual node's resultswith the aggregation of all other nodes' results may be used todetermine the relative strength of the node within the overall nodalhierarchy. Based on the results, the nodal hierarchy may be modified tomore efficiently accomplish objectives and meet the overall businessstrategy. The nodal hierarchy may be modified based on individual nodes'newly determined relative strength within the overall nodal hierarchy.The hierarchy may be modified to more effectively meet the businessenterprise strategy and may continue to be modified until a desired endstate of the business enterprise is reached. Whether or not anindividual node satisfactorily accomplishes its objectives, additionalfunctions pertaining to its comparison with the remainder of the nodes,the potential reorganization of the hierarchy, and potential redefiningof the strategy may still execute. Despite a single node's successfulaccomplishment of objectives, other nodes' performances may affect thehierarchy, including the status of successful nodes. Strategyredefinition may continue until the strategy converges on a desired endstate of the business enterprise, as represented in the exemplaryprogramming code of FIG. 4. Objective redefinition may be inherentwithin strategy redefinition and consequently that particular functionmay not be represented in exemplary FIG. 4. The exemplary computerprogramming code depicted in the individual node represented in FIG. 4may not be comprehensive, nor may it represent the computer programmingcode within or outside of a node. However, it may represent anexemplary, non-limiting, flow from task execution through nodeassignment, to strategy redefinition and to nodal realignment, until theend state of the business enterprise may be met within the nodalhierarchy. An end state may or may not be reached at the completion ofthis exemplary flow.

In accordance with the exemplary algorithm shown in FIG. 4, a possibleimplementation may be provided as follows. The possible implementationmay relate to a notional biotechnology company having a strategy todevelop a cure for cancer, however, it may be understood by a personhaving ordinary skill in the art that implementations may not be limitedto this field. The end state in the present example may be a cure forcancer. As part of the strategy and operational objectives, three tasksmay be required of three different individuals or nodes. The first taskby a first individual may be to isolate a cancer cell based upon threevariables (a, b, c). These variables may include the technique used, theclimate conditions of the lab, and the personality traits of theindividual. The second task by a second individual may be to testsubstrates on the cancer cell based upon three variables (d, e, f).These variables may include the type of substrate, the level of theindividual in the nodal hierarchy (e.g. operational, tactical), and theuse of a new procedure for introducing the substrate to the cancer cell.The third task by a third individual may be to compile the results ofthe data based upon three variables (g, h, i). These variables mayinclude whether the substrates met their primary endpoints, the time thereport is due, and the level of the individual in the nodal hierarchy(e.g. operational, tactical). Based upon the execution of these threetasks by these three individuals, an outcome may be derived. If theoutcome of these three tasks does not result in a substrate thateliminated the cancer cell as indicated by the sum of objectives, thenthe strength of the performance of each individual in the chain ofexecution may be calculated. In this example, the strength of theperformance of the individual reporting the results may have been lessthan the aggregate performance of the group. This individual maytherefore be demoted and no longer in charge of reporting results. Sincethe other two individuals may have been near the aggregate baseline ofperformance, they may be neither promoted nor demoted. In effect, onlythe individual reporting the results may be reassigned. The company'sstrategy may then be redefined based upon the outcome of the substrates'impact on the cancer cell. All individuals may then be matched to thenew strategy and assigned new tasks until the end state is achieved,which as previously identified is curing cancer. For iterations beforethe end state is achieved, cross-comparisons to individualsaccomplishing similar tasks within the organization may be analyzed topredict the best individual to be assigned to said tasks. This may bejust one exemplary embodiment of an infinitely variable array ofembodiments.

There may be an infinitely variable number of sequences of events, ofvarying complexities, performed within a nodal hierarchy. For exemplarypurposes, one sequence of events may be provided as follows.Inter-strategic (global) nodes and functions may be aggregated to createstrategic tasks and objectives that guide strategic nodes and functionsusing the inter-strategic rules and rule sets. Strategic nodes andfunctions may be aggregated to create operational tasks and objectivesthat guide operational nodes and functions using the strategic rules andrule sets. Operational nodes and functions may be aggregated to createtactical tasks and objectives that may guide tactical nodes andfunctions using the operational rules and rule sets. Tactical nodes andfunctions may execute tactical tasks to achieve the objectives. Tacticalnodes and functions may further complete a loop by providing recursivefeedback to superordinate levels. This may also perpetually influencethe inter-strategic (global) nodes' and functions' aggregation of datato assist in the creation and evolution of an overarching businessenterprise strategy that may be manifested in continually evolvinginter-strategic rules and rule sets, so as to meet a desired end stateof the business enterprise. The desired end state of the businessenterprise may also manifest continually evolving rules and rule setswithin the nodal hierarchy. In other words, the nodal hierarchy and allcomponents within the nodal hierarchy may be more than merely staticelements.

When implemented by organizations, components may be modified orchanged, such as the name or existence of various levels and divisions.Personnel may be mapped in cyberspace to nodes within acomputer-implemented position-centric personnel system dependent uponhis or her functional level and/or division of responsibility within abusiness enterprise. Additionally, the computer-implementedposition-centric personnel system may not be the only influence of abusiness enterprise's personnel hierarchy and therefore changes withinthe nodal hierarchy may be discarded or overruled to reflect thenon-cyberspace decisions of a subject business enterprise. Likewise,selective business enterprise decisions may optionally be made toreflect changes within the cyberspace nodal hierarchy, including changeswithin the nodal hierarchy to previous business enterprise decisions.The nodal hierarchy may be manipulated manually or automated dependingon the level of autonomy and/or complexity the business enterprisechooses to implement, as would be understood by a person having ordinaryskill in the art. Certain additional considerations may be accounted forthrough the personnel assessment or by decision makers manipulatingpersonnel based on an assessment. These considerations may includefinancial guidelines and availability of personnel.

Exemplary data encapsulated and residing outside of each node mayinclude some or all descriptors relevant to both personnel and theenvironment in which they function. Just as environmental variables inthe physical world may impact individuals in terms of personalitychanges, physical characteristic changes, health, etc., so to maypersonnel changes in the physical world impact the external environment.In effect, when a node is reassigned within the business personnelhierarchy, it may be accomplished based upon the immediate needs of theorganization, and within the constraints of the environment and theindividual's (node's) own limitations. Therefore, regardless ofreassignments and constraints, nodes may not be limited to accomplishinga single objective, such as the example objective shown in FIG. 4, butrather may be simultaneously tasked with completing and addressingmultiple objectives.

The foregoing description and accompanying figures illustrate theprinciples, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of theinvention. However, the invention should not be construed as beinglimited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additionalvariations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated bythose skilled in the art.

Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be regarded asillustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should beappreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention asdefined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A non-transitory computer-readable medium forreplicating and assessing personnel hierarchy, comprising instructionsstored thereon, that when executed on a processor, perform the steps of:mapping personnel attribute data to logically coded nodes within alogically coded unified hierarchy wherein each node comprises at leastone associated variable encapsulating data relevant to that node;mapping environmental data, including physical environment data, to thelogically coded unified hierarchy; performing a first functioncorresponding to a first rule or first rule set corresponding to a firstorganizational strategy or objective for a first node in the logicallycoded nodes, wherein said first function is a first multivariatefunction incorporating as input at least one first performance outcomeand at least one of the personnel attribute data and the environmentaldata, and generating a first function result, the first function resultcomprising a first individualized outcome contribution; storing thefirst function result for or within the first node; evolving thelogically coded unified hierarchy based on the first function result,wherein evolving the logically coded unified hierarchy comprisesmodifying the first rule or rule set into a second rule or rule set tooptimize the logically coded unified hierarchy; performing a secondfunction corresponding to the second rule or rule set corresponding tothe first organizational strategy or objective for the first node in thelogically coded nodes, wherein said second function is a secondmultivariate function incorporating as input at least one secondperformance outcome and at least one of the personnel attribute data andthe environmental data, and generating a second function result, thesecond function result comprising a second individualized outcomecontribution; storing the second function result for or within the firstnode; comparing performance of the first rule or rule set for the firstnode against performance of the second rule or rule set for the firstnode; evaluating, based on comparing the performance of the first nodebased on the first rule or rule set against the performance of the firstnode based on the second rule or rule set, whether an adjustment of thesecond rule or rule set is needed; and when an adjustment of the secondrule or rule set is needed, evolving a plurality of rules or rulesets byautomatically creating, modifying or eliminating at least one rule orrule set within the hierarchy by adjusting the at least one rule or ruleset governing the plurality of rules, rulesets, or nodes.
 2. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, further comprisingrepeating until a desired state is achieved.
 3. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 2, further comprising repeatingindefinitely to continuously optimize the at least one rule or rule set.4. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein theat least one rule or rule set is static or dynamic.
 5. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the at leastone rule or rule set comprises laws, policies, tactics, techniques, orprocedures.
 6. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1,wherein the at least one rule or rule set comprises financial guidelinesrequiring that the creating, modifying, or eliminating the at least onerule or rule set complies with organizational strategies or objectives.7. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein theat least one rule or rule set comprises social guidelines requiring thatthe creating, modifying, or eliminating the at least one rule or ruleset complies with organizational strategies or objectives.
 8. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the at leastone rule or rule set comprises private or publicly availableinformation.
 9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1,further comprising replicating changes to the personnel hierarchy of anorganization in the nodal hierarchy.
 10. A computer-implementedposition-centric personnel apparatus comprising: a memory deviceconfigured to store a data structure comprising information related toan individual's performance within an organizational hierarchy, apersonnel database comprising logically coded nodes within a logicallycoded unified hierarchy, wherein each logically coded node correspondsto an individual and the logically coded unified hierarchy correspondsto an organizational hierarchy, and a plurality of rules or rule setsassociated with an organizational objective or strategy; an input/outputdevice to allow a user to input data, observe results, and set rules;and a processor configured to perform functions derived from theplurality of rules or rulesets, wherein the functions comprise: a firstfunction corresponding to a first rule or first rule set correspondingto a first organizational strategy or objective for a first node in thelogically coded nodes, wherein said first function is a firstmultivariate function incorporating as input at least one firstperformance outcome and at least one of the personnel attribute data andthe environmental data, and generating a first function result, thefirst function result comprising a first individualized outcomecontribution, storing the first function result for or within the firstnode, and evolving the logically coded unified hierarchy based on thefirst function result, wherein evolving the logically coded unifiedhierarchy comprises modifying the first rule or rule set into a secondrule or rule set to optimize the logically coded unified hierarchy;performing a second function corresponding to the second rule or ruleset corresponding to the first organizational strategy or objective forthe first node in the logically coded nodes, wherein said secondfunction is a second multivariate function incorporating as input atleast one second performance outcome and at least one of the personnelattribute data and the environmental data, and generating a secondfunction result, the second function result comprising a secondindividualized outcome contribution; storing the second function resultfor or within the first node; the processor further configured to:compare performance of the first rule or rule set for the first nodeagainst performance of the second rule or rule set for the first node;to evaluate, based on comparing the performance of the first node basedon the first rule or rule set against the performance of the first nodebased on the second rule or rule set, whether an adjustment of thesecond rule or rule set is needed; and when an adjustment of the secondrule or rule set is needed, evolve the plurality of rules or rulesets byautomatically creating, modifying or eliminating at least one rule orrule set within the hierarchy by adjusting the at least one rule or ruleset governing the plurality of rules, rulesets, or nodes.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one rule or rule set isfurther classified based on a multidirectional flow of information foror within the logically codified unified hierarchy, corresponding to themultidirectional flow of information for or within an organization. 12.A method for replicating and assessing personnel hierarchy, comprising:mapping personnel attribute data to logically coded nodes within alogically coded unified hierarchy wherein each node comprises at leastone associated variable encapsulating data relevant to that node;mapping environmental data, including physical environment data, to thelogically coded unified hierarchy; performing a first functioncorresponding to a first rule or first rule set corresponding to a firstorganizational strategy or objective for a first node in the logicallycoded nodes, wherein said first function is a first multivariatefunction incorporating as input at least one first performance outcomeand at least one of the personnel attribute data and the environmentaldata, and generating a first function result, the first function resultcomprising a first individualized outcome contribution; storing thefirst function result for or within the first node; evolving thelogically coded unified hierarchy based on the first function result,wherein evolving the logically coded unified hierarchy comprisesmodifying the first rule or rule set into a second rule or rule set tooptimize the logically coded unified hierarchy; performing a secondfunction corresponding to the second rule or rule set corresponding tothe first organizational strategy or objective for the first node in thelogically coded nodes, wherein said second function is a secondmultivariate function incorporating as input at least one secondperformance outcome and at least one of the personnel attribute data andthe environmental data, and generating a second function result, thesecond function result comprising a second individualized outcomecontribution; storing the second function result for or within the firstnode; comparing performance of the first rule or rule set for the firstnode against performance of the second rule or rule set for the firstnode; evaluating, based on comparing the performance of the first nodebased on the first rule or rule set against the performance of the firstnode based on the second rule or rule set, whether an adjustment of thesecond rule or rule set is needed; and when an adjustment of the secondrule or rule set is needed, evolving a plurality of rules or rulesets byautomatically creating, modifying or eliminating at least one rule orrule set within the hierarchy by adjusting the at least one rule or ruleset governing the plurality of rules, rulesets, or nodes.
 13. The methodof claim 12, further comprising repeating until a desired state isachieved.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising repeatingindefinitely to continuously optimize the at least one rule or rule set.15. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one rule or rule set isstatic or dynamic.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least onerule or rule set comprises laws, policies, tactics, techniques, orprocedures.
 17. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one rule orrule set comprises financial guidelines requiring that the creating,modifying, or eliminating the at least one rule or rule set complieswith organizational strategies or objectives.
 18. The method of claim12, wherein the at least one rule or rule set comprises socialguidelines requiring that the creating, modifying, or eliminating the atleast one rule or rule set complies with organizational strategies orobjectives.
 19. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one rule orrule set comprises private or publicly available information.
 20. Themethod of claim 12, further comprising one or more of replicatingchanges to the personnel hierarchy of an organization in the nodalhierarchy, and replicating changes to the nodal hierarchy in thepersonnel hierarchy of the organization.